Beginning in frenetic Saigon we cross three countries in two weeks, making for a varied and fascinating trip. We encounter the majestic ruins of Angkor, the lush fertility of the Mekong Delta and the sobering faces of the tragic recent history of Vietnam and Cambodia. Getting off the beaten track, we journey into rural Cambodia and have a couple of days to relax by the beach. A short stay in Bangkok rounds off our trip perfectly.

Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Start Saigon.

Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), formerly known as Saigon, an exciting and absorbing city where bicycles battle with lorries and temples stand defiantly alongside modern developments. Devastated by the Vietnam War, Saigon is now a bustling free market city where anything goes. The Ben Thanh Market and Notre Dame Cathedral are within easy walking distance from our hotel and are highly recommended.See more images and videos

2Day 2Visit Cu Chi Tunnels; tour of Saigon.

This morning we leave the city behind us and head west to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Used by the Viet Cong during the war the network covers 3 levels and approximately 240 kms of tunnels. Traditionally these were very narrow but some areas have been widened to allow tourists to explore the system. Claustrophobes may prefer to stay outside in the sunshine! In the afternoon we return to Saigon for a tour to include visits to the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum where there is an interesting record of the Vietnam/American War. Some of the images are of a graphic nature.See more images and videos

3Day 3Mekong Delta visit floating market; overnight homestay.

We drive to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta via a Cao Dai temple used by devotees of this strange indigenous religion that fuses all the great religions of the east and west. The Mekong is locally known as the rice bowl of Vietnam and produces much of Vietnam's fruit, sugar cane and coconuts. En route we pass magnificent countryside and stop at some small cottage industries. We take a relaxing sampan cruise in the afternoon and arrive at our accommodation. The evening is tranquil as we have dinner on an Island and enjoy some 'Delta' hospitality. We spend the night sleeping at a simple guesthouse built in the style of a local house. Bedding, a mosquito net and a small towel are provided.See more images and videos

4Day 4Walking tour in the delta; visit Sam Mountain for sunset.

This morning we take a short walk around the surrounding village to uncover the daily lives of the people. We board our boats once again and cross the main channel to Vinh Long where we re-join our vehicle for the drive further into the Mekong Delta to the small border town of Chau Doc. After checking into the hotel we will enjoy a sunset visit to the top of the holy Sam Mountain with views stretching across into Cambodia. The evening is free to wander around this town, situated on the banks of the Mekong River.See more images and videos

5Day 5To Cambodia: via Kampot to the beach town of Sihanoukville..

After driving approximately 1 hour to the Tinh Bien/Phnom Den land border we will bid farewell to Vietnam and cross into Cambodia. Our drive takes us via the former French colonial town of Kampot to Sihanoukville, Cambodia's premier beach resort. Upon arrival you will have free time to relax, refresh with a swim, try a Khmer beach massage and sip cocktails as the sun sets. For those who like to cook, there's also an opportunity to join a half day traditional Khmer cooking class (optional).See more images and videos

6Day 6Free day at the beach.

Our hotel is located across the road from the white sands of Ochheuteal Beach and today you will have free time to relax on the beach or wander into town and get a feel for the place. A boat trip out to one of the deserted islands off the coast for fishing, snorkelling and swimming is recommended (optional). The more energetic can also rent bicycles to explore more of the Sihanoukville beaches and countryside.See more images and videos

7Day 7Drive to Phnom Penh; free afternoon.

This morning we drive around the peninsula past Sokha, Independence and Victory beaches before driving on to Phnom Penh. The afternoon is free to explore this city that still retains a frontier atmosphere. There is time to wander among the traditional buildings, or shop at either the impressive Central Market or the sprawling Russian Market, a souvenir hunter's paradise.See more images and videos

8Day 8Full day sightseeing including the Royal Palace and the 'Killing Fields'.

We will visit the beautiful Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda inside the Palace complex, so named for the solid silver tiles that make up the floor. Thankfully the complex escaped the worst excess of the Khmer Rouge. Similar in style and scale to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, the Royal Palace has significantly fewer visitors and there is plenty of time to wander amongst the traditional buildings. We will also visit Tuol Sleng museum or S21 (Museum of Genocide), which graphically displays the horrors of the 4 years when Pol Pot systematically ordered the murder of between 2 and 3 million Cambodians. Tuol Sleng was originally a school but was used as a torture and interrogation centre between 1975 and 1979. It is a sobering, but enlightening place to visit. We complete our day with a moving late afternoon visit to the 'killing fields' of Choeung Ek. A football-field-sized area surrounded by farmland, the killing fields contain mass graves for perhaps 20,000 Cambodians, many of whom were tortured before being killed.
Phnom Penh is a city in transition and, despite its horrific recent history, it is now starting to find its feet. Some of its former French colonial buildings have been restored and there is a small but lively restaurant and bar scene developing along the riverfront.See more images and videos

9Day 9Drive to Siem Reap via Skuon.

This morning we take our bus along National Road 6 past the village of Skuon (where fried spiders are the local delicacy) before continuing on to Kompong Thom for a lunch stop, then on to Siem Reap.See more images and videos

10Day 10One and a half days to explore temple complex at Angkor.

A full day spent exploring the complex. We will visit the incredible Angkor Wat, the many temples inside the Royal City of Angkor Thom, including the magnificent Bayon, which comprises of 54 intricately carved towers in one single temple. The Bayon certainly left an impression on an early traveller in 1925 who stated 'we stand before it stunned. It is like nothing else in the land.' We will also see other less-visited outlying temples. Particularly impressive are Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, which is still covered in jungle as it was first found. Re-discovered in the 1870s and famously described as being 'grander than anything of Greece or Rome' by the French explorer Henri Mouchot, this world heritage site stands alongside Chichen Itza and Machu Picchu as one of the world's most spectacular archaeological sites. A truly magical experience and a photographer's paradise. One evening we will make our way to watch the sunset over this magnificent scene.See more images and videos

11Day 11Second day of Angkor exploration.

This morning we will continue our exploration of the Angkor complex with a visit to the small but charming Temple of Banteay Srei, which is noted for the intricacy of its carvings, 35km from Siem Reap town. Our route takes us past paddy fields, and through pretty villages. Banteay Srei was built in the 10th century and contains some of the finest examples of Khmer sculpture. Although much smaller than the later temples, here all of the buildings are covered in exquisite carvings. The afternoon is free for you to continue with further independent exploration of the temples or to wander around Siem Reap town or visit a floating fishing village and enjoy a boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake (optional).See more images and videos

12Day 12Fly to Bangkok; afternoon city tour.

We transfer to the airport in Siem Reap for our short flight to Bangkok. This afternoon we take a short walk to the Chao Praya river where we board a long tail boat for a tour of the local canals. Bangkok was once known as the Venice of the East because of its intricate canal network. We get a glimpse of daily life as we pass locals selling their wares by the river. We will visit what to this day remains the home of the Thai Royal family at the Royal Palace complex followed by Wat Phra Kaew, home to the Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand's most venerated images. Another highlight is Wat Po, the largest temple in Bangkok, housing a 46m long, 15m high gold-plated reclining Buddha. Flight time dependent we may go straight to visit the temples from the airport so we suggest that you wear suitable temple attire for the flight/pack appropriate clothing that you can easily change into.See more images and videos

13Day 13Free day.

Today is free in Bangkok for shopping, sightseeing, relaxing or maybe to try a Thai massage! Your tour leader will be more than happy to advise you on how best to use your time.See more images and videos

Your images

Adult Group

This is a small group adult holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.

What's included

What's included

All breakfasts and 1 dinner

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Arrival & departure transfers

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request)

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Hotels & Guesthouses

You will stay 12 nights in comfortable hotels with 1 night spent in a local traditional guesthouse all with en-suite facilities. Most of the hotels used on this trip are of a 3 star standard by local classification. At the guesthouse you will be sharing 1-3 people to a room depending on group size.

Single rooms are available except during the night in the village homestay for a supplement , please enquire for prices. Please advise the sales team at the time of booking if you require a single.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa

British passport holders need a visa for Cambodia: this can be arranged on arrival. A visa is required for Vietnam, and this must be arranged before departure.
British passport holders do not need a visa for Thailand for stays of 30 days or less.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for this trip.
Recommended vaccinations for this trip are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A.
Malaria prophylaxis is essential on this trip, and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take.
Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited on this trip. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten.

Holiday style

This holiday is designed so that you can see the best parts of South East Asia using a mixture of private buses, trains and flights. There is a lot to see in the time you are there, but it is paced so that it doesn't feel too rushed. Travel time is kept to a minimum although there are a few longer drives but there is plenty of time for sightseeing and the trip has numerous stops where we spend 2 or more nights.

Eating & drinking

All breakfasts and 1 dinner is included.

Food is cheap in South East Asia and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish. Western food is readily available almost everywhere, with the exception of the night in the Mekong Delta.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want to know about this trip, including
detailed itinerary and full kit list

Weather & seasonality

The weather will be hot and humid throughout with temperatures during the day between about 28degC and 34degC but at times is may reach 40degC. It is only a little cooler at nights. The region is mostly dry between December to April and then a rainy season from May to November when it tends to come in short heavy bursts with bright sunshine in between.

In Cambodia the weather will be hot and humid all year round. The dry season is late October to May and the monsoon is normally between June and September; though there is an obvious transitional time between those settled periods. The dry season is as it sounds, with hot days and generally clear skies, though you can expect the odd shower. The monsoon is characterised by short, sharp bursts of rain and is generally overcast all day, though this does not detract from the enjoyment of the place; you just need to take an umbrella!

In Thailand the weather patterns are very similar to Cambodia and you should expect year round temperatures from 23-35degC. The rainy season will normally run from June to September when you should expect short sharp showers but the sun will normally break through.

Gallery

Reviews & community

A fabulous holiday with a great group of people. Would now love to go back and see more of Vietnam.

I felt that I had gaps in my education completed about the effect of the American war on both Vietnam and Cambodia. Also the absolute devastation of Pol Pot's reign was made clear. The Exodus booklist was useful but in particular read 'First they Killed my Father' (about Cambodia) if you go on this trip.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The afternoon of the day we arrived in Vietnam as the group was taking time to readjust to the time differences, we took a walking trip through Ho Ch Min City and ended up sitting for a rest in the park where we saw lots of groups being taught English in the open air. We sat for a rest on a bench and looked down to see that a whole group of enthusiastic teenage girls had sat around us and their teacher asked if they could practice their English conversation with us. Spent a lovely half hour with them.
The Mekong Home stay visit and the surrounding area was great fun.

What did you think of your group leader?

The Vietnamese and the Bangkok group leaders were the usual Exodus excellent standard. The Cambodian leader was good but could do with some development, which I will share with Exodus as I am convinced of their usual high standards and training. Cambodia has suffered a huge loss of the educated people and schooling due to the Pol Pot era and it is therefore not surprising that education and developmental standards may have suffered.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Even having visited India there are still cultural shocks in Cambodia.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The trip reflected the countries we visited. Busy, busy, busy. Vietnam and Cambodia are enchanting. Vietnamese and Cambodian people are so friendly, the guides had such attention to detail and our co-travellers were a wonderful bunch.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Cooking our evening meal together in the home-stay.

What did you think of your group leader?

There were 3 for the 3 different countries. It's a tough job and they were great.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The flights were problemmatic. Service and comfort etc. on Malaysian Airways were good. But the flight timings and the apparent need to go via Kuala Lumpur, which added 6 hours each way, made for a wearying start and finish to the holiday.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Cambodia is a country emerging from an horrific - and recent - past. Visit it now, before it changes forever.

A wonderful introduction to the fascinating cultures of these three countries. Brilliantly organised itinerary - very well balanced and timed. I thoroughly recommend it!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

I loved the homestay in the Mekong delta. This was so welcoming and a lot of fun. The cookery lesson was a real highlight!

Of course, the temples at Angkor were mind-blowing: more so than I had expected. Siem Reap was a truly memorable experience. It was a brilliant place to celebrate the new year!

What did you think of your group leader?

Dino was exceptional. He was a lovely man and really went above and beyond for us all the time. He was permanently smiling, patient, calm and helpful, with a great cheeky sense of humour too. He had everything you need in a guide!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Relax and just enjoy everything you'll experience on this trip! Don't rush around in cities as you'll exhaust yourself. The guides can advise you well on how to spend any free time. Look out for pickpockets at the markets - I was fine, but someone else on the trip did lose some money this way.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

A superb trip if you're looking to discover this region for the first time. The guides were all excellent, especially our main guide, Dino, and the pace was just right. Not too many long journeys at all and a great mixture of city, beach and countryside. The people we met everywhere were lovely - including the family we dropped in on unexpectedly in Cambodia! Highly recommended.

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

Are the visas easy to get for this trip?

All visas except (Vietnam) are easy to get upon arrival. Check in the trip notes for the latest costs and the leader will be on hand to advise as well. If travelling to Laos or Cambodia, the leader will advise you when crossing but just have some US$ ready and make sure you have some pages free in your passport! For details on Vietnamese visas, please see the question regarding this below.

Other passport holders should check with their nearest embassy.

Aurelija Selvestraviciute - SE Asia Operations

What is Thai food like?

Thais like their food spicy, but in most resturants they will assume that farang (foreigners) won't want their food quite as spicy and you'll be asked if you want it "Thai style" or not. Vegetarians who don't eat fish may find it difficult to avoid fish oil, as this is used in the vast majority of Thai food. Ask your tour leader to ask that this not be used in cooking, even if you are ordering a vegetarian meal. Street food is wide ranging, cheap and generally of excellent quality. If a vendor is busy, it's generally a sign of the food being good. Som Tum (spicy green papaya salad) is one dish I highly recommend. Grilled chicken (gai) with sticky rice is another. If you fancy a drink, Heineken, Singha and Chang are all available widely and will cost from 60 to 120 baht, depending on where you are. All three are brewed in Thailand.

Kai Aylward - Sales

How should I take my money to SE Asia?

With regards to money, it is easy to change cash or travellers cheques in most of the major cities and towns in South East Asia. ATMs are available everywhere (to give you some idea, there is a gloabally connected ATM at every 711, and there are two 711s for every one bus stop in Bangkok alone). However, there is now a flat fee added for every withdrawal made from an international bank account at ATMs (in addition to any fees charged by your own bank) so it's advisable to only make large cash withdrawals rather than taking out small sums as you go.

Kai Aylward - Sales

What vaccinations do you advise for South East Asia?

Unfortunately we are not qualified to answer all your questions in regards to travel health, so we strongly recommend you contact your GP or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information.Nomad Travel Clinics are experts in preparing people for travel, providing advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and staying healthy whilst overseas. We have arranged a special 10% discount for Exodus passengers on any vaccinations that you may require! Take along your Nomad discount card, sent with your confirmation pack, or call Exodus for your special discount code.Visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/exodus for further information.

What's the standard of accommodation like in SE Asia?

The hotels are of a very good standard, roughly comparable to a 2/3 star standard with air conditioning, spacious rooms and centrally located. Because certain areas have only opened up to tourism relatively recently, in the past 15 years or so, most of the hotels are newly built but in a traditional style. More remote areas can also have slightly more basic facilitiers, but these are usually more than compensated for by the location.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

How much do you spend on food in SE Asia?

On average, a lunch should cost no more than £3 and dinner up to £10 including drinks. The standard and quality of the restaurants is very good while still retaining a traditional ambience. In the more remote locations, it's amazing how the local people can prepare such delicious meals!

Diane Knight - Sales

Vietnam articles

Staff member Imran Arshad, recently travelled to Vietnam, and you can read his article here to get a personal viewpoint of the area.

Can I get a Vietnamese visa on arrival?

No, it must be gotten in advance. We suggest applying for the visa at least six weeks before departure. It is normally valid for 30 days and will ask for your entry and exit days. You can add the exact dates or, because you can use the whole 30 days, you can put the start date down as a week before you're due to get there and extend it for 30 days beyond that. This way you are covered in case there is any changes to your plans. Either way is fine.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

What is Vietnamese food like?

Like a lot of South East Asia, Vietnam meals consist mainly of rice, vegetables and frilled or stir fried meat. The staple dish is Pho, which is a noodle broth with veg and meat. You can buy it off many small roadside stalls very cheaply, as well as the more established restuarants you will be visiting during the trip. Due to the French colonial influence, another item you shouldn't miss is the fresh baguettes, filled with cheese, pate or meat, again available from small stalls in most towns.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

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